2 environmentalists back Daigle

Two local environmentalists are endorsing Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle in her bid to win the 74th Assembly District seat, her campaign announced.

Jean Watt, a former councilwoman who co-founded a nonprofit to support the creation of the Orange Coast River Park, and Garry W. Brown, Orange County Coastkeeper president and chief executive, are backing Daigle's candidacy.

"Leslie has earned my respect and appreciation for her strong conservation ethic on bay and water quality issues, and her conservative approach to our city's most pressing fiscal challenges," Watt said in a prepared statement. "I like her because she listens first, then leads in a thoughtful, decisive way."

Newport Beach council critic Bob Rush, a Democrat, and Assemblyman Allan Mansoor (R-Costa Mesa) are also in the race for the seat that includes Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Irvine and Huntington Beach.